Belarus political prisoners face worsening conditions, report says

May 22, BPN. A legal analysis by the office of Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja says the detention conditions of political prisoners in Belarus have “dramatically worsened” and amount to torture.

The report, released today, cites problems with prisoners’ access to health care, forced and unpaid labor, and isolation from the outside world.

It says prison administrations often delay medical treatment, as shown by the death of political prisoner Mikałaj Klimovič and the health issues of Viktar Babaryka, the jailed banker-turned-politician.

It also says political prisoners are forced to do physical work in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, and face constant penalties and solitary confinement.

The report urges Belarus’ pro-democracy forces to draw attention to the situation of political prisoners and make an effort to break through their isolation.

According to the human rights group Viasna, there are 1,525 political prisoners in Belarus.